Girls 800m Regional Rankings

Note: These rankings are based on how we believe the event will play out at the regional meet, not current times alone. We’ve also ranked athletes in the event(s) we believe they will actually contest. Some athletes may double or triple, which could affect their freshness for certain events.

1. Celia Schulte: Back to your regularly scheduled programming: Celia Schulte once again leads our distance rankings, and she’s the clear No. 1 in the 800m. One of the fastest runners in the country, Schulte currently ranks 8th nationally—ahead of many notable names, including mile national record holder Jane Hedengren. There’s not much to say—Schulte is in a class of her own. Even on a double, she’s the heavy favorite to cruise to victory, despite the field being incredibly strong.

2. Marisa Heil: Making her second appearance in the top two of our rankings (4x800) and third in the top five (1600m), Marisa Heil is unquestionably one of the region’s most dominant distance runners. She proved last year that she can handle the double, posting marks of 4:57 and 2:12 at regionals to finish 2nd and 3rd, respectively. As noted in our 1600m rankings, she hasn’t raced much outdoors this year, which could be a major advantage—she’ll enter the postseason extra fresh.

3. Laken Wenclewicz: We’ve already discussed the Lady Wildcats’ dominance in the 4x800, and having two of the top three ranked individuals in the open 800m speaks volumes. Wenclewicz, just a sophomore, didn’t appear much during cross country season (possibly due to injury), but she burst onto the scene in the 800m this spring. She’s already run 2:18 twice, showing great consistency. While she lacks postseason experience, we believe she’ll be ready to race when the lights are brightest at Pickerington North.

4. Bridget Snider: Currently ranked 11th in the region with a season-best of 2:20, Snider’s PR of 2:17 is a better reflection of her true potential. As a sophomore last year, she placed 7th at regionals. Now with more experience under her belt, the Liberty junior should be ready to build on that performance and push for a state berth.

5. Elliana Alonso: The junior from Berlin ranks 5th in the region with her 2:19 mark and finished 8th at the Wayne Invite, proving she can hang with some of the best 800m runners in the region and state. She ran the 400m at the indoor state championships, and if she chooses to double in the 400m and 800m, her effectiveness in the 800m could be compromised. For now, we’re projecting she’ll prioritize freshness in the 800m.

6. Minori Hudson: Making her second appearance in our rankings is Dublin Coffman senior Minori Hudson. She currently owns a season-best of 2:21, which ranks 17th in the region, but her indoor PR of 2:15 (good for 6th at indoor state) proves how dangerous she can be. Even if she’s doubling off the 1600m, we expect the experienced senior to be a major factor and firmly in contention for a state-qualifying spot.

7. Lucy Rush: Mount Vernon junior Lucy Rush is one of the most versatile athletes in the region, with PRs of 2:20 (800m), 5:15 (1600m), and 11:11 (3200m). Her wide-ranging success makes it hard to predict which event(s) she’ll choose. Last spring she ran the 3200m outdoors, and indoors she attempted the 1600m/3200m double. Maybe it’s a bit of a wild card prediction, but if she toes the line fresh in the 800m, she’ll be a serious threat to qualify for state.

8. Audri Barry: DeSales junior Audri Barry is in the midst of a breakout season, and she rounds out our top eight. Her PR of 2:19 currently ranks 6th in the region, but with limited postseason experience, it’ll be a tough challenge to secure a state berth in such a loaded field. Still, her rise this season makes her a legitimate contender to watch.

Honorable Mentions:

Tiffany Zuehlke

Josie Cox

Notable Athletes Not Considered (Due to Expected Event Focus or Team Entry Limits):

Gemma Pusateri (Davidson likely entering Schulte and Wenclewicz)

Erica Kaulen (Expected in 3200m; Davidson likely entering Schulte and Wenclewicz) 

Natalie Fouts (3200m)

Brooke Chapman (1600m and 3200m)